What makes this memoir different

Grassroots activists, housing advocates fighting today's affordability crisis, urban history enthusiasts, and anyone searching for meaning through collective action. The lessons from the 1970s offer practical wisdom for building community power today.

The parallels are striking. Rising rents, displacement, landlord neglect—these forces are even stronger now. The organizing principles we developed still work, and those lessons are directly applicable to today's fights.

Absolutely. The core principles of organizing neighbors, building coalitions, and sustaining movements are timeless. Readers tell me that the challenges we faced—building and sustaining grassroots organizations, supporting overworked comrades, keeping people engaged—mirror exactly what they're experiencing today.

It’s my story from when I was in my 20s and found purpose and meaning through community organizing. The housing battles and policy fights are woven through with personal experiences and the day-to-day reality of my fellow organizers and I as we built grassroots organizations and fought to curb rent gouging and maintain liveable apartments through the 1970s. 

Orange and East Orange, New Jersey—two small cities next to Newark, facing White flight, disinvestment, and deteriorating housing. Through Shelterforce and our broader network, the book touches on organizing efforts nationwide.

It’s still going strong after nearly 50 years and continues to inform and connect housing justice organizations at shelterforce.org.

Yes—for book talks, panel discussions, and book club conversations, in person or virtual.